BEIRUT: Health Minister Ali Hasan Khalil rejected Tuesday allegations made by former MP Ismail Sukkarieh that there were irregular practices in the health sector, later referring the accusations to the general prosecution.

Last month, Sukkarieh, who is involved in health reform, criticized the ministry for squandering $1 billion from the country’s $2.4 billion annual health bill.

Also, in a recent television interview, he decried the ministry further, saying there were 400 types of counterfeit medicines in the market, hospitals and dispensaries.

A statement from the Health Ministry said, “All allegations by former MP Sukkarieh are not based on scientific or authentic facts, until he presents documents proving his accusations to the ministry and not presenting them only through media.”

The statement added, “Since part of preserving public health is about revealing the truth to the public, Health Minister Ali Hasan Khalil has decided to refer the allegations of former MP Ismail Sukkarieh to the General Prosecutor’s Office and relevant judiciary bodies to examine their accuracy and take the necessary legal measures according to their findings.”